Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- The State adopts an integrated and comprehensive health development approach.
- Supports and expands efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) as a public health problem.
- Increase investments in prevention, treatment, and control of TB.
- Employs a multisectoral approach to responding to TB.
Definitions
- "Comprehensive Philippine Plan of Action to Eliminate Tuberculosis": The national government program aimed at eliminating TB.
- "Tuberculosis (TB)": An infectious but curable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affecting mainly lungs but may involve bones and other organs.
Comprehensive Philippine Plan of Action to Eliminate Tuberculosis
- Established by the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary in consultation with public and private entities.
- Contains country targets and strategies against TB.
- Covers prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and other components.
- Includes development and use of diagnostic and treatment technologies.
- Strengthens linkages with local and international organizations for education, advocacy, research, and funding.
- Implements review and monitoring systems for data gathering and progress tracking.
- Ensures immediate mobilization of anti-TB services during and after disasters.
Strengthening of National and Regional Coordinating Committees
- The National Coordinating Committee (NCC) and Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) of DOH serve as arms of the National TB Control Program.
- Facilitate program operations and public-private collaborations nationwide.
- Secretary of Health improves NCC and RCC capabilities for efficient implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and coordination.
Research, Demonstration Projects, Education, and Training
- Secretary of Health to conduct or fund research in coordination with academic and health partners.
- Develop demonstration projects to support evidence-based policies and regional capability building.
- Implement nationwide public information and education campaigns.
- Undertake training and skill enhancement for health care providers.
- Support model centers to sustain these initiatives.
- Collaborate with local and foreign organizations for technical and funding support.
Strengthening Regional Centers for Health Development
- Provide free laboratory services through DOH-retained hospitals.
- Ensure reliable, free drug supply via coordination with local government units (LGUs).
- Conduct public education on TB prevention.
- Train health providers in public and private hospitals.
- Monitor TB cases properly at community and regional levels.
- Extend monitoring services to lowest health unit levels.
Education Programs
- Coordinate with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to enhance TB-related curricula in medical, nursing, medical technology, and allied health schools.
Inclusion in Basic Education
- Work with the Department of Education (DepED) to integrate TB prevention, detection, management, and control modules into elementary and high school health curricula.
Media Campaign
- Coordinate with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) to promote TB control, treatment, and management through various media.
- Campaigns discourage public spitting and unhygienic behavior that aid TB spread.
Regulation on Sale and Use of Anti-TB Drugs
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces a "No Prescription, No Anti-TB Drugs" policy.
- Ensures quality control of anti-TB drugs in the market.
Notification of TB Cases
- All health facilities must follow national TB management protocols.
- Required to notify DOH of all TB cases per the National TB Program Manual and Philippine Plan of Action.
PhilHealth TB Package
- Expand PhilHealth benefits to include new, relapse, and return-after-default TB cases.
- Enhance outpatient DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) package.
- Increase accredited DOTS facilities to extend reimbursement access.
Annual Reporting
- Secretary of Health to submit yearly reports to Senate and House Health Committees detailing Act implementation activities.
Appropriations
- Funds allocated from the budgets of DOH, DepED, CHED, and PIA under the General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DOH, in consultation with DepED, CHED, PIA, LGUs, NGOs, and other entities, to issue implementing rules within 90 days of the Act's effectivity.
Separability Clause
- Invalid or unconstitutional provisions do not affect the validity of the rest of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Existing laws, orders, or regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.